GLAUCOUS GULL – Larus hyperboreus

Glaucous Gull is a large and powerful gull, very pale in all plumages with no black in the wings or tail. They breed in the arctic regions of the northern hemisphere and the Atlantic coasts of Europe. Brunnich coined the term Larus glaucus in 1764 as a direct reference to a 'greyish-blue gull'. The term 'glaucous' is from the Latin 'glaucus' and the Greek 'glaukos' and refers to the colouration; 'a pale greyish or bluish green' or 'having a frosted look'. The scientific name 'hyperboreus' derives from the Latin 'hyperborei' meaning from the extreme north.

There have been seven Glaucous Gulls reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

c. 1840: (1)

A winter adult was 'obtained' on the Severn Estuary. It was presumably collected sometime over the first winter period, January/ February or the second winter period in December. It was featured in Yarrell's British Birds at the time. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.

1938: (1)

On December 27th an immature was located at Severn Beach. Following a week of severe weather, an immature bird visited the Severn estuary late in December. It was watched at close quarters between Avonmouth and Severn Beach on the 27th and again on the 30th. When seen alongside a Great Black-backed Gull, it was correspondingly large with an equally massive bill. This, and the greyish-white plumage with an entire absence of black on the primaries, placed its identity beyond doubt.